5 Signs of Oral Cancer 

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No one wants to hear the word “cancer,” but at A Beautiful Smile, we want to inform and educate our patients so they can take charge of their health. Oral cancer, when caught early, has several successful treatment options available. The key is getting a screening at the first sign of a problem. Here are five signs that you should make an appointment with our team for an oral cancer screening.

1. Cold Sores That Don’t Heal

When is a cold sore more than just a cold sore? The answer to that question depends on if the cold sore is going away or lingering for weeks and even months. This condition, though common, can also be a sign of oral cancer. Schedule a screening if you have a cold sore that just isn’t getting better.

2. Lumps or Thickening

Lumps or thickening of the skin on the lips or cheeks can also indicate oral cancer. This isn’t a normal sign of aging. Similarly, unexplained swelling of the mouth or jaw can be a sign. If you notice this, get a screening right away.

3. Difficulty Swallowing

While difficulty swallowing can stem from a number of potential causes, it can indicate cancer near the back of the mouth or in the throat. Regardless of the cause, you should get this looked at to improve your quality of life.

4. Loose Teeth

Adult teeth should not become loose. While bone loss due to aging can cause this, so can oral cancer. Both require a visit to the dentist in Jacksonville, NC.

5. White Patches

Finally, areas of white patches in the mouth are signs of an underlying health issue, and one potential issue could be cancer. Again, this requires a screening appointment to figure out the cause.

If you’re noticing any of these signs and symptoms, contact Dr. Gina Mancini at A Beautiful Smile to schedule a screening appointment.

4 Things To Do If You Lose a Permanent Tooth

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Getting a permanent tooth knocked out can be a very stressful experience. If you react quickly and see the dentist in Jacksonville, NC within 30 minutes, you may be able to save your tooth. At A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini, we help our patients during their dental emergencies. Here’s what you need to know.

1. Find the Tooth

Find your tooth as soon as it’s knocked out. You may have lost it on the floor or somewhere nearby. When you find it, pick it up by the crown. The crown is the part of the tooth that you can see in the mouth. The opposite side of the crown is called the root. Avoid touching the root if at all possible.

2. Clean the Tooth

Holding the tooth by the crown, clean the tooth by rinsing it in water. Don’t scrub your tooth or wash it with soap. Scrubbing the tooth or rinsing it in soap could damage the tooth.

3. Put It Back In

If you can, put the tooth back in the hole it came out of (called the socket). Place the tooth in the socket root first. If you are unable to put the tooth back in the hole, you can also store it by putting it in your cheek.

4. See the Dentist Immediately

Go to your dentist as quickly as possible. Your tooth has the best chance of survival if you can see the dentist within half an hour of having the tooth knocked out.

Are you having a dental emergency in Jacksonville, NC? Call your dentist at A Beautiful Smile, The Office of Dr. Gina Mancini to let them know you’re coming in for emergency dental care.

What You Should Never Do If You Knock Out a Tooth

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You knocked out one of your teeth—now what? Your first instinct might be to grab your tooth, submerge it in water, and head to youremergency dentist in Jacksonville, NC. But wait! That’s the last thing you should do. Here’s why and what you should do instead.

If you knock out a tooth, you should first try to put it back into its socket. Make sure that you only handle your tooth by its crown. You don’t want to damage the roots. Then, you will need to get to the emergency dentist immediately. If your tooth can’t be put back into its socket, the next best thing is to put it into some milk. Never put it in water!

Why You Should Never Put a Knocked-Out Tooth in Water

Putting a knocked-out tooth in water could cause your tooth’s roots to burst. And it will kill the tooth’s cells within minutes. Milk has sugars, enzymes, antibacterial agents, and proteins that will maintain the right balance of acids. These will help protect your tooth.

How Long Can a Knocked-Out Tooth Survive?

The longer your tooth is out of its socket, the less likely it is to be saved. However, if you put your tooth in milk within five minutes of being knocked out, the roots of your tooth can survive for about 30-60 minutes. That’s why it’s so important that you get to yourdentist in Jacksonville, NC immediately after knocking out a tooth.

Do You Need an Emergency Dentist in Jacksonville, NC?

Time is of the essence when you have a knocked-out tooth. If you have a dental emergency, like a knocked-out tooth,Contact ABS Family & Cosmetic Dentistry immediately! Put your tooth in milk (not water) and get to us right away. If you wait too long, we might not be able to save your tooth.